The Gift
Richard's (SF) Storyline, Chapter 4.2
copyright comidacomida 2018
I conveyed the Jaguar's words to the Wolves. Sabhana nodded in thought while Treboada simply hrumph'ed. "Well... show's what yeh know then, don't it, ket?"
It wasn't really the most friendly exchange but, then again, considering what Jack had me experience that afternoon it made sense that everyone was a little on edge. If I'd thought about it a little more at the time I might have revised what I said next. Once there was a break in the conversation I turned to the Wolves. "Hey... I appreciate your concern, but I'm a big boy and you don't have to babysit me. If you're that worried, why don't you two go pick out something we can do tomorrow while the rest of us debrief?"
My comment really seemed to rub Sabhana the wrong way. Rather than the laid back, unruffled peace she so easily exuded the light-furred Wolf's scowl looked almost as intimidating as Treboada's. "Richard... we're not looking to babysit; we're seeking to teach you. What Jack did was reckless and he should have known better."
Treboada stepped in just as quickly. "Yeh may not understan' fully, boy-o, but th' berd didn't do yeh a favah-- 'e did yeh a disservice an' taught yeh wrong t' make 'imself come across grander."
Jack puffed up indignantly but I didn't give him a chance to reply, handling that on my own. "Listen-- jsut because he has a different idea of what I am or am not ready for doesn't mean he was in the wrong. I learned a lot today and I'm thankful for that."
Treboada stood up and stormed off, speaking loudly over his shoulder as he went. "Then yeh be as much of a damned fool as th' berd."
Although he went straight through the door there was still the resounding slam of it as he departed. Sabhana was much more subdued in her show of displeasure. She stood up and, brushing her paws off on her dress-like tunic, she went after the other Wolf. Sabhana paused at the exit, looking over her shoulder as her eyes glimmered with a faint purple sheen, "I'm not angry that you want to learn and I'm not frustrated that you don't heed my advice... but I am disappointed that you can't see where you've gone wrong."
Like that, before I had a chance to respond, she followed after the dark furred Scottish Wolf. Although I've learned a lot since that time, back then I was completely at a loss for what had just happened. I can only imagine the expression on my face as I turned back to look at Jack and Balam. Having no time to consider the niceties of asking one at a time, I rapid-fired the same question in both English and Spanish. "What just happened? ¿Que paso?"
Jack, who probably had a better grasp of the situation since he understood the argument provided an answer first. "They were jealous, Richard... jealous that thou dost spend time with me and take my word over theirs. Spirits grow jealous the same as Humans, and I am sorry that thou art forced to witness it."
Balam was much more reserved when he answered. "They are angry. You do not do what they want you to."
I glanced at the Jaguar, responding in Spanish. "You could tell that just from listening to us speak in English?"
He motioned to the door, speaking slowly and cryptically as he picked the words he wanted to use in Spanish. "I watched the way they stood and the way they left. I heard their voices and I know how people act-- Spirits and Humans-- we are alike in as many ways as we are different, Seer."
I pressed Balam. "I just told them that I enjoyed my time today with Jack and they thought that he made a bad choice in introducing me to other spirits."
The Jaguar nodded. "Yes. What he did was not without risk but you did not come to harm. They should not be angry."
I shrugged. "They thought I could have been hurt."
Balam moved toward me, languidly sliding down to sit on the edge of the coffee table. "You could have... but the Bird-Lion is a Guardian Spirit-- he would not have done anything dangerous with you and if you were in danger he would protect you."
Jack joined us, taking a seat on the couch, but he didn't say a word. Judging from his appraising gaze I could tell he was feeling left out of the conversation so I updated him. "He says that the Wolves shouldn't be angry at you or me because you had everything handled and I wasn't in any danger."
The Gryphon nodded. "I would never put thee in danger, Richard-- tis my promise to thee as thy Guardian."
I smiled. "That's what Balam said."
Jack tilted his head in the Jaguar's direction with what looked like a faint hint of a smirk on his beak. "Well... he IS a Spirit Guide for a reason, after all."
Glancing around at my suddenly-mostly-empty house I took a moment to readjust the trajectory of my rapidly darkening thoughts and decided to look at the silver lining. "Well... considering it's just the three of us, maybe we should take advantage of the situation."
Just when I'd figured all of the surprises were done for the day, Jack looked to me and Balam and responded in what sounded a little like Spanish but the first word was a strange one and the sentence revered to English at the end after a fumble somewhere in the sentence. "Vosotros.. va a... hacer algo... um... together?"
Balam seemed almost as surprised as I was. Looking at Jack, the Jaguar's question was almost as much a statement. "You speak the language of the Conquers?"
Jack fumbled again through a statement. "I speak little Spanish. I know small words. Not many. It is simple to talk than listen."
I fought to avoid correcting him; to be honest, I was really surprised. Balam, on the other hand, was less impressed and went straight for a correction, speaking to me as much as to Jack. "My people do not use 'vosotros'. That is used by the Conquerors."
Connecting the dots was surprisingly easy considering how esoteric the term 'conquers' was, but, considering that word in spanish is 'Conquistadors', and I learned all about Spain's campaign against Central and South America it could just as easily have been said in English. I was also able to figure out what he meant, and I said as much in English "Vosotros-- oh right! That's used in Spain more than in the Americas... here they just say Ustedes for 'you' plural. That's what he means."
Jack's feathers puffed up. "Oh."
I looked back to Balam and stated "He's trying."
The Jaguar nodded. "Yes. He is trying."
Jack got back to the point. "So... what ARE you doing tonight?"
That was a good question, and I looked to Balam for the answer. "Right... what are we doing tonight, Balam?"
Although I motioned between myself and the Jaguar, Balam smiled, motioning to all three of us. "Nosotros? Mucho."
I looked to Jack and translated. "All of us? A lot."
The Gryphon's smile was the widest yet.
Smiling back, I--
b) -- eventually let it slide off my face as I sighed. "Actually, it's been a pretty long day and I'm tired... maybe we could just hang out in my room and chat while I get ready for bed?"
c) -- considered what I'd just learned about Jack. "You know... we could sit and practice Spanish tonight... it'd probably help us all communicate better."
d) -- already had an idea in mind. "Balam... why don't you show the two of us more of those Mayan prayers?"
Voting is now open and closes as of midnight (PST) on Thursday, July 19th.
.......................
A Go After the wolves or they may slip away.
B No hard training, just talk a bit and sleep on it.
C Work with Jack & Balam together.
D Work with Balam while Jack watches.
......................
B with a bit of c thrown in.
A it is.
Going with A, gotta do something to make them less angry!
With that said, I'd like to vote for (B). Sabhana's parting comment really rubs me the wrong way, and some distance and time to reflect on the matter seems like it may help. Sorry to create another tie ;P